THREE of Tamworth's fastest rising stars have shone at the recent Sport Climbing Australia Youth National Championships.
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Tamworth Freestyle Bouldering Gym members Archie Eather, Freddie Eather and Nikala Murray excelled at the championships in Sydney across a number of disciplines.
The trio's coach and gym founder Chris Eather said he was "exceptionally proud" of the efforts of the team.
"As a collective these guys have put in a fantastic effort," Eather said.
"There was some really strong competitors at the nationals and our guys handled themselves really well.
"For me that is the most important thing, how they handled themselves and how much they can take out of it going forward."
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The competition was especially successful for Freddie and Archie Eather, who both finished the competition ranked number one in the country for their age groups and disciplines.
"The way the competition works is there are three different disciplines that go toward your overall score, while still being a competition in and of themselves," Eather said.
"In terms of age championships, both Archie and Freddie are ranked number one for bouldering.
"They are the youngest of a two-year division and now Archie is number one in the 12-13 age group and Freddie is number one in 10-11."
As for Murray, her first taste of a national competition was a successful one, finishing the event 27th overall.
"I wasn't too sure what to expect given it was my first time out," Murray said.
"It was really cool to represent NSW at the under-16-17 age level."
The McCarthy College Year-11 student said the high standard of competition highlighted the sport's rapid growth.
"I think its certainly growing, there are more and more people getting involved with it," she said.
"I'm pretty sure it is going to be at the Olympics next year as an overall three-discipline sport, before the three disciplines get broken up for the Olympics after that.
"To have the opportunity to potentially go to the Olympics is really cool and makes me want to take this sport as far as I can."
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
